August 21, 2017 – Half day evening cruise with overflowing beauty surrounding us. The tiniest little breeze nudged us along as we drifting along the shorelines of our favorite places. We’re finally noticing steller sea lions showing up to the north – once south of Jones Island eating what looked like a dogfish and another splashing in New Channel along the Cactus Islands. The big guys are coming back from their time up north with the ladies. Today began with an incredible solar eclipse and ended with beautiful evening light as we returned to port sipping hot apple cider.

Harbor seals near Nob Island

Harbor seals near Yellow Island

Northern Steller Sea Lion with a dogfish (?)

Northern Steller Sea Lion chomping on his catch

Bald eagle perched on Spieden Island

Bald eagle nest

Bald eagle taking flight

Spieden Island

Stuart Island sanctuary

Lovers Leap, Stuart Island

Turn Point Lighthouse

Hidden beach on Stuart Island

Great blue heron

Sailing towards Lovers Leap

Mt Baker

Bald eagle nest on Stuart Island

Bald eagle

Cormorants on Gull Rock

Bull Kelp

Female harlequin duck

Cactus Island

Harbor seal swimming near the kelp

Harbor seal in sunset reflections

Looking back towards New Channel

Nob Island

Sunset sail via our favorite places

Bald eagle in the sunset

Sunset over our favorite tree

Mt Baker mountain range

Smooth waters as we rounded Friday Harbor

Mt Baker